Glass bulb and flask holder



Sept. 10-, 1946.

H. L. VAN VELZER GLASS BULB AND FLASK HOLDER Filed March 1, 1945 llllrn k FIG.-3

INVENTOR. HARRY L.VAN VE 1.2 ER

ATTO EYS Patented Sept. 10, 1946 UNITED" STATES PATENT OFFICE a GLASS BULB AND FLASK-HOLDEE HarryL. Van Velzer, StateGollege, Pa. Application March l, 1945, SerialNo. 580,453

Claims. (01.294-20) (655mm under the act of Mai-c113, 1883', as

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for,

amended April 30, 19281370 0. G. 75"?) cup. 4 of approximately the same length as the can not be contracted about such larger objects or, in fact, about any object received therein.

Thepresent invention is constructed and designed to avoid the above and other objections and provide a simple, eflicient, compact and durable bulb'gripping and holding device which may be produced at low cost from readily obtainable materials.

In order to moreclearly disclose the construe.- tion, operation and use-of the -invention, reference should beha-d to the accompanying drawing forming part of the present application. Throughout the several figures of the drawing like reference characters designate the same parts in the different views.

In the drawing:

Fig.1 is a central longitudinal cross section, showing only the two operative gripping parts that would appear in elevation;

Fig; 2 is a top plan view of Fig. 1, omitting the flexible gripping members and'the spreader; and

Fig. 3 is a right hand end elevation of the spreader.

In Fig. 1 the invention is shown in its full operative gripping and holding position.

Referring to the drawing in detail, I and la indicate, respectively, outer and inner tubular members of a telescopic handle. The outer or free endof la is closed by a tubular plug 2 having a flanged and knurledhead 3 and an exteriorly-threaded body an of reduced diameter and appreciable length. Plug 2 is swivelled into the outer end of la byone or more small set screws, pins, or the like extending through the wall of la and into an annular groove or channel in 2. This, of course, locks the plug in the free end of la, and prevents its removal or any longitudinal movement. On the other hand, it permits unlimited rotation of 2 within Ia.

Mounted within la isa longitudinally movable body-la, of the plug. It isof a diameter to fit over 2a "andlint'eriorly threaded with threads complementary to those on 2a. It is adapted to receive and cooperate with 2a. Radially directed studs, pins, set screws or. the like 5 extend from its side walls playing freely in the longitudinal slot 6 of. la.

As 2 is rotated it will, of course, feed 4 longitudinally of Iain one direction or the other according to the direction of rotation, the extent of such feed or travel corresponding to the number of rotations of 2. The longitudinal feed of cup [affects the operations of the gripping and holding elements or features, as will b more fully disclosed hereinaften.

In the opposite end of la are mounted the inner ends of a plurality of flexible gripping orjaw members or elements I. therein to travel'therewith by any suitableand acceptable means.

bers are leather in the form and shape known and used as V-belt. Their flexibility, preferably, isincreased by lateral kerfs or V-notches 8 at frequent and regular intervals throughout their lengths. In the construction shown, four such ameter wire 9 such as piano wire, for instance.

One end is anchored to the outer end of the respective member I. The opposite end is extended through the interior of the handle and anchored to the inner end or bottom of cup 4.

By stressing wires 9 jaws 1 will contract upon themselves and toward each other in generally circular paths or. directions along the lines of least resistance-i. e. along the notched edges. However, without devices to guide in formation of the curves they willbe relatively small in diameter, flat and irregular and the curve of one member may I not, necessarily, correspond with that of, any other. To avoid these difliculties a spreader has been devised comprising a rod or piston l0 and spider or head ll. Each arm or branch [2 of the spider terminates in a saddle l3 adapted to straddle and receive the V edge of the respective member I.

Rod 9 extends longitudinally through outer tube l and the telescoped part of inner tube la They vmay be secured.

In the instance. shown, it is a friction fit. Preferably, these gripping memslidable in the slot 6.

3 and between the assembled flexibl members I within those members. The extreme inner end of rod III is yieldingly connected to a radially extending web I4 of a collar or ring I5 carried by one end of the member I. That part of web I4 connected to I5 extends through and is freely However, the ring I5 being fixed to I travels with it and is stationary with relation thereto. This member I4, on the other hand, is provided with holes or perforations for g the free passage of the wires 9 during any telescoping movement of tubes I and la. A tension spring I6 connects the web It! with the adjacent end of II] urging I0 toward I4 in a retracting action. That, in turn draws the spider II against the members 1 at points only slightly beyond the outer or free end of I, thereby spreading them and maintaining them, at that point, uniformly separated or distended, the spider'and tube end cooperating in this action.

With the parts in the position of Fig.- 1, the jaws are gripping and are securely held about the bulb or other object which would be inclosed by" them. To loosen that grip, the head 3 is turned to travel the member 2, 2a toward the jaw end. This removes strain from wires 9 and permits the flexible members 7 to slack, extend or loosen, reducing the gripping action. It also reduces the binding friction between I and the end of I, as will be clear. Then the ring I'I, slidably mounted on I and provided with radial web I8 extending through aligned slots 6 and I9 in la and I respectively, and connected to I6, is moved toward the jaw end, against the tension of spring I6. This carries the spreader out of engagement with members I, allowing them to slacken and collapse.

With the jaws I secured in Ia against longitudinal movement therein, the spreader 9I3 ill the position of Fig. l, frictionally binding and looking I against the end of I and deflecting them to open or spread position, and the wires 9 under the desired tension, the curved jaws formed by the members I become substantially rigid.

Rigidity, however, is not imparted until the necessary tension is exerted. That tension is imparted by drawing the cup 4 toward the head 3 or plug 2, as previously stated, The requisite travel of 4 along 2a of 2 to create the desired tension, may be altered by various circumstances and conditions, including the degree, amount or extent of spread or curvature of the members I in forming the jaws for the respective use. The threaded connection amply provides for establishing the respective desired tension under any and all circumstances for all uses or applications for which the device hasbeen devised.

As will be well understood, the members I and la are each provided with diametrically placed slots 6 and I9 for free travel of the webs I4 and I8. .While pairs or" such slots have been shown and are preferable, more may be used.

Rod I 0 may be secured to web I 8 in any manner desired as by soldering, welding, riveting etc. In assembled relation it has an easy sliding position centrally within the handle and between the inner edges of the members I, a very gradual and slightly increasing radial space resulting between I and II), longitudinally of Iii in the direction of the spider II from the end of Ia to the end of I, due to the slightly greater diameter of I.

It is thought that the construction, operation and use of the invention will be clear from the preceding detailed description.

Many changes may be made in the construction, arrangement and disposition of the various parts of the invention within the scope of the appended claims Without. departing from the field of the invention and it is meant to include all ,such within this application wherein only one 7 provide gripping jaws, means extending through said flexible members and therebeyond within said handle, means stressing said last named means and means movable within said handle between said flexible holding members and yieldably engaging and spreading said flexible members adjacent and exterior to said handle.

2. In combination in a bulb holding device, a tubular handle, flexible holding members mounted therein and extending therebeyond to provide gripping jaws, means extending through said flexible members and therebeyond within said handle, means stressing said last named means, means movable within said handle between said flexible holding members and engaging and spreading said flexible members adjacent and exterior to said handle, and means for releasing said engaging and holding means.

3. A bulb holding device comprising a hollow handle member, flexible gripping members secured at one end within the handle and extending therefrom, flexible tension means positioned within the gripping members and. secured to the outer ends of the gripping members and adapted upon tensioning to vary the conformation thereof, and means positioned on the handle and connected tosaid tension means for varying the tension on the tension means, whereby the pressure exerted on a bulb by the gripping members may be varied.

4. The structure as claimed in claim 3, including a spreader positioned between the gripping members and yieldingly adjustable with respect thereto to adapt the gripping members to engage bulbs of different sizes.

5. A bulb holding device comprising a hollow handle member, a plurality of flexible gripping elements having their inner ends secured within the handle member and extending therefrom, tensioning elements respectively positioned within the gripping elements and connected thereto at the outer ends of the gripping elements, adjusting means on the handle connected to the tensioning elements for varying the loading thereof to thereby vary the conformation of the gripping elements, a sleeve slidably mounted on the handle member and engaging the exterior of the gripping elements, a spreader movable longitudinally with respect to the handle and engaging the inner surfaces of the gripping elements and a yielding connection between the spreader and said sleeve member.

.HARRY L. VAN VELZER. 

